Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's fear of assassination looms over Israel normalization talks

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed deep concerns about his personal safety in pursuing normalization with Israel as reported by Politico. During discussions with U.S. lawmakers, MBS reportedly conveyed that he fears for his life if he advances with the agreement without securing significant concessions for Palestinians.

Critical Role of Palestinian Statehood

MBS has emphasized the necessity of incorporating a clear path to a Palestinian state in any potential normalization deal. He referenced the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, who was killed by Islamist militants in 1981 following a peace accord with Israel, as a reason for his anxiety.
“I will resign from my role as the guardian of the sacred places of Islam if I do not resolve what I called the most urgent justice issue facing the area,” MBS stated. He pointed out that “Saudis care very deeply about this, and the street throughout the Middle East cares deeply about this.”

Impact of Gaza Conflict on Normalization Talks

The recent escalation in Gaza has significantly impacted the normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel. On October 7, Hamas-led terrorists launched a major attack on southern Israel, resulting in nearly 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages. This violence has complicated the diplomatic landscape, making it difficult for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to advance the deal as planned.

U.S.-Saudi Negotiations and Political Timing

Despite these fears, MBS is determined to move forward with the deal, seeing it